News > MVA Develops Dorset Accessibility Strategy

News >MVA Develops Dorset Accessibility Strategy

MVA Develops Dorset Accessibility Strategy

A new strategy to improve access to employment and learning in Dorset has been developed by MVA for the Dorset Action for Rural Transport (DART) partnership. MVA was appointed in July 2004 by the partnership, which includes representatives from Dorset County Council, district councils, Job Centre Plus, the Countryside Agency, and a wide range of partners from voluntary, statutory, and private sector organisations.

The study involved analysis of travel patterns in the County, extensive consultation through surveys of businesses, residents, jobseekers, and other stakeholders, and a review of good practice elsewhere in the UK. MVA identified key travel needs and a range of possible solutions, which led to the development of a strategy for improved access to key business parks and industrial estates across Dorset, as well as to job centres and colleges.

The strategy comprises a range of measures such as introducing or expanding employer travel plans at key sites, improving public transport links from market towns such as Shaftesbury and Gillingham, expansion of the successful 'wheels to work' scooter schemes, and better support for job seekers to access interviews and job opportunities.

Rob Sly, Business Development Manager for Jobcentre Plus and Chair of DART, said, "Transport issues affect a wide range of people across Dorset. This strategy provides a framework for improving access to employment and learning, based on a strong cross-sector partnership, with a number of small-scale deliverable projects and some longer-term schemes that have been developed to meet specific needs identified in the research. It will challenge a number of agencies to take a fresh look at their policies and strategies towards access and transport. This report is very timely given the recent announcement that Dorset County Council has been selected as a Rural Pathfinder by the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and will be expected to pilot new initiatives."

The strategy will be implemented over the next couple of years by DART in association with the County Council and a wide range of stakeholders.

Information for Editors:

MVA Consultancy provides advice on transport and other policy areas, to central, regional and local government, agencies, developers, operators and financiers.

A diverse group of results-oriented people, we are part of a 450-strong team worldwide. Through client business planning, customer research and strategy development we create solutions that work for real people in the real world.

For further information, please contact:

Nick Richardson
MVA House
Victoria Way
Woking
Surrey
GU21 6DD
Tel: 01483 728051
Fax: 01483 755207

E-mail: mail@mvaconsultancy.com
Web: www.mvaconsultancy.com
Date: 01 March 2005
Ref: 33829/556